Hartford Levee Dam
Hartford Levee
The Hartford Levee, also known as the Hartford Fcs Connecticut River, is a critical flood risk reduction structure located in Hartford, Connecticut. Built in 1938, this concrete dam stretches 9700 feet along the Connecticut River, with a height of 30 feet. The primary purpose of the Hartford Levee is to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding and its hazard potential is classified as high, although its current condition is assessed as fair.
Owned and regulated by the local government and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Hartford Levee undergoes regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its effectiveness in mitigating flood risks. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the community against potential disasters. With a drainage area of 10,480 square miles, the Hartford Levee stands as a testament to the importance of proactive water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Hartford Levee serves as a prime example of infrastructure designed to adapt to the challenges posed by a changing climate. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events continue to rise, structures like the Hartford Levee play a crucial role in protecting communities and critical infrastructure from the devastating impacts of flooding. With ongoing monitoring and maintenance, this historic dam will continue to serve as a vital line of defense against the unpredictable forces of nature in the years to come.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Hartford Levee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 4 cfs | → |
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 46 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Tariffville | 263 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Unionville | 143 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 11 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Near West Suffield | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hartford Levee.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Hartford Levee
Where does the data for Hartford Levee come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.